The story centres on Mother Sun Lotus, whose seeds of light hold the promise of the future. Her sacred seeds are very nearly stolen by two tricky characters, one who lulls the lotus and all the creatures of her lake (the classes) to sleep, and the other who comes to steal that which is most precious.Wise White Owl remains awake and vigilant, alerting everyone to danger and protecting the seeds.Mother Lotus then gives her seeds to her guardian creatures to be carried through the darkness (the Lantern Walk) and bought to safety to the Singing Lake (the Amphitheatre) where they will be planted and come to life again. Along the way they will pass through special gateways of the senses (created by this year’s Classes 8, 9 and 10).The Lotus reappears as a cosmic mandala formed by all the classes in the Amphitheatre with their lanterns.The Year 12 students will appear as the reborn seeds, ready to ray their light to the world. They sanctify and transform the lotus centre with their Eurythmy movement.At the conclusion of the performance the school community will honour the Year 12 students with a gift of blossoms from the Year 7’s, and with the singing of our school song, Shearwater Pacific, as we wish them well on their future path.

Things to note:*The students will stay at school for the whole day and only return home at the conclusion of the festival.*Teachers and class parents will be providing delicious and nourishing food for the afternoon before the start of the festival. Please make sure you send warm clothes.*All friends and family of Shearwater are welcome.*Please bring a rug or groundsheet to sit on. There are no chairs.*PLEASE GATHER AT THE BIG PRIMARY AMPHITHEATHRE AT 5PM and secure yourself a good viewing position.The festival should finish by 6.15pm or 6.30pm. Students are to be collected from their classrooms.

Here are 3 songs from the festival, we would love everyone to join in the singing. Sun LotusSun lotus sun lotusHoliest of flowersFrom the living waters you rise

Call of the OwlSilently I come on the wings of light,Now you must awaken to my flight.If you are asleep and unaware,What you cherish most will disappear.

Flashing eyes of gold can pierce the night,Catching every moment in my sight:Those who would beguile you into sleep,Those who come to take what you must keep.

Awake! Awake!Though night is long and darkness deep,Awake! Awake!Make sharp your senses do not sleep,Awake!

Shearwater PacificOn the islands of wind where they’d summered and fed,Where the albatross westerlies roared overhead.By their nests in the ground where they’d nurtured and grown,The shearwaters waited the call to leave home.

CHORUS: Give the courage on this our first flight,In search of the sun and its life-giving light.Let the winds blow us northwards and over the seasThen bring us back safely on the nor’-westerly…breeze.

The shearwaters gathered and looked to the skyOn hearing their guide in the winds that swept byThey answered as one as their wings stroked the air,And set on a journey they all would share.Chorus